The nohris petehb



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. O. BARLOW. CHECK ROW ATTACHMENT.

Patented Dec. 23, 1890.

vflmaoom wha - UNITED STATES PATENT Trice.

JOSEPII O. BARLOlV, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE HARLOW CORN PLANTER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CHECK-ROW ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,471, dated December 23, 1890.

Application filed M y 13, 1890. Serial No. 351,587. (No model.)

To all whom it may concerm Be it known that I, JOSEPH G. BARLOW, of Quincy, in the county of Adams and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use- 5 ful Improvements in Check -Row Attachments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relatesto that class of checkrow attachments for planters in which the slide-bar connecting the feeding or dropping mechanisms is reciprocated either by hand or through the agency of automatic actuating devices driven by protuberant portions of a check-row cord or wire, there being a separate actuating mechanism on each side of the machine provided with an intermittingly-rotating drum or driver, through which the check-row cord or Wire transmits motion to the slide-bar; and the said invention consists, principally, in the novel and improved means provided for adjusting the throw of the slide-bar for taking up lost motion or wear, and for automatically converting the machine from a power to a hand operated feed, all as hereinafter described, and pointed 0 out in the claims.

, In the drawings, Figure l is a rear elevation, and Fig. 2 a top plan view, of a portion of a planter with the improved attachments applied thereto. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the actuating devices detached, and Fig. 4:

a similar view taken from the opposite or inner side. Fig. 5 is a detached and partially sectional view of the rocking lever and its supporting-frame. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the actuating devices with check-row cord or wire in position, and Fig. 7 a similar view with cord or wire removed, the locking-lever vbeing broken away to show stops.

Similar letters and figures of reference in 5'" theseveral figures indicate the same parts.

As illustrating one of the best forms in which the present inventions have been embodied,.I have shown them as applied to the check-row attachment patented to me Febrn- 5o ary 24., 1885, No. 312,695, wherein Adesignat-es the rotary driver grooved to receive and guide the check-row cord or wire, and provided with a series of shoulders or abutments or, against which the knots operate to give motion to the driver. B is the locking-pawl, arranged to engage shoulders a on driver A and arrest the forward movement of the latter as the knots pass off the shoulders a C is the furcated arm or lever, pivotally supported upon the axis of pawl B and connected thereto through an interposed spring, permitting a limited independent movementof the pawl and lever, said lever being arranged to swing down behind the abutments 6 5 a to preventback motion of the driver, and being depressed and thereby elevating the locking-pawl by the approach of the knot to. engage the abutments a on the driver.

F are cam-surfaces attached to or formed upon driver A.

E is the rocking lever, carrying rollers e, which are alternately engaged by cams F to give a rocking motion to said lever.

G is the sliding bar connecting and actuat- 7 5 ing the feeding or dropping mechanism.

H is the connecting-rod interposed between lever E and bar G. i I V H is the seed-box, and I is the cross-bar of the inner or other supporting-frame. It is of course understood that there are two of these actuating mechanisms,'one for each side of the machine, and that they are connected through the slide-bar G, to which both connecting-rods H are detachably applied, so that either or both check-row attachments may, if desired, be detached from the slide-bar and thrown out of action,or both may remain connected to said bar, although one only is in active operation. The general construction and arrangement of these parts are fully set forth in my prior patent and do not require further description here.

The driver A, pawl B, lever C, and the guides for the checlcrow cord or wire are all mounted upon a frame 1, which is adjustably attached to the side of the seed-box or other equivalent support in the following manner: Projecting from the inner side of the frame is an arm or offset 2, provided with arocking 10 0 bearing 3, in the form of a rib or ribs of angular or curved sections, the edge or curved l'aec bearing against the side of the seed-box, while clamping-bolts l, passing through or in line with said rib or ribs, and through openings in the seed-box serve to hold the frame firmly in position, at the same time permitting a limited tilting motion of the frame upon its rocking bearing, for which purpose the bolt-holes are slightly enlarged. A bolt 5 passes through the frame 1 and the seed-box above the rocking bearing, and a stiff spring 6 is interposed between the frame and the seed-bo.\', said spring serving to hold the upper portion of the frame pressed outward, while the nut on the bolt 5 limits and determines the roeking motion of the frame. The principal object of this arrangement is to provide for a quick, easy, and positive adjustment of the throw of the slide-bar, as produced by the attachments on opposite sides of the machine, and with respect to the feeding devices. By tightening up the nut on bolt 5 the frame 1 is rocked upon its bearings 3, the upper portion being drawn inward and the lower portion outward, thereby shifting the end of the rocking lever attached to the connecting-rod, so that thelimits of itsmovements in opposite directions will stand farther out. By loosening the nut on rod 5 the spring will operate to press the upper portion of the frame outward, thereby reversing the adjustment.

'When both actuating devices have been properly adjusted, the frame may be fixed and held in position by means of a brace 7, secured at one end to the frame 1, preferably at a distance from and in advance of bolt 5,and at the other end fastened to the seed-box, as shown, suitable provision being made to accommodate the change effected by adjustment, as by providing the inner end of the brace with an enlarged or elongated slot for the reception of the clamping-bolt 8.

The frame 1 is provided with two or more sets of holes for the reception of the clamping-bolts 4c, in order that the actuating devices may be shifted longitudinally of the machine to compensate for the difference of the speed of the animals by which the planter is drawn.

To provide for taking up the lost motion incident to wear, the pivot of the rocking lever 1* is adjustably supported in the frame so that it can be moved toward the driver, so that its rollers will at all times occupy the proper positions to be acted upon by the cams without excessive play. \Vith this end in view the rocking lever E is fulcru med on pins in a separate frame or casting 9, received between guiding-shoulders 10 on frame 1 and provided with a sleeve 12, whose inner end tits over a stud 13 on frame 1.

A bolt ll, projecting from stud 13, extends through the sleeve 12 and is provided with a nut 15, working against said sleeve and operating thereon to move the frame 9, and with it the rocking lever, toward the cams on the driver. In order to hold the frame 0 in adjusted position and at the same time permit the adjustment to be made by the simple turning of the bolt or nut, an elastic-pressure device, such as a spring 10, is interposed be tween the frames 1 and 9, said spring being in the present instance contained within the sleeve 12 and operating to hold the latter pressed outward against the nut.

It is customary in machines of this class to provide two actuating mechanisms, one on each side of the machine, both arranged to operate upon the feeding devices through the same slide-bar, one actuating mechanism being engaged by the check-row cord or wire when the machine is crossing the field in one direction and the other being bronghtinto action as the machine is advanced in the opposite direction. In such cases, as well as when it is desired to operate the slide-bar by hand, provision has to be made for disconnecting one actuating mechanism from the slide bar when the other is in action and for throwing both out of action when the slide-bar is to be worked by hand, and this is usually accomplished by disconnecting the connecting-rods from the slide-bar, as indicated in my prior patent. My present invention is designed to avoid this necessity for disconnecting the actuating devices by providin g each mechanism with an automatic trip or setting device controlled by the check-row cord or wire and operating, when the latter is applied in working position, to release the driver, and when the check-row cord or wire is removed to lock the driver and liberate the rocking lever co-operating therewith, so that said lever is released or thrown out of active connection with the driver and is free to follow the motions of the actuating device on the opposite side of the planter. So, too, when the cheek-row cord or wire is removed from both drivers the slide-bar is free to be reciprocated by hand through the medium of a lever or other device. With this end in view the driver A is formed or provided with a series of studs or shoulders 20, corresponding in number and relative arrangement with the cams F, the latter being separated by spaces or depressions 21 for the accommodation of rollers e, so that when said spaces or depressions are brought opposite the rollers the bar E is free to vibrate on its pivot. These depressions 21 occur at such intervals relative to the abutments (0 and a" and the eo'operating locking pawl B and lever (3 that when the driver is acted upon by the cord or wire it will be arrested and held by the pawl B and shoulders at" just before the depressions come opposite the rollers e, and while one of the latter is at the apex of its cam, thereby holding the sliding bar at one extreme of its movement and requiring a further movement of the driver to release the rocking lever.

\Vhen the driver is under the influence of the check-row cord or wire, it is turned quickly by the passage of each knot, so that as one roller passes off from its cam the opposite roller is almost instantly engaged, the rocking lever is tilted, and the driver again locked.

By raising the locking-pawl and turning the driver a short distance to bring the depressions opposite the rollers and then locking or holding it in that position,the rocking lever will be entirely removed from the cams and will be free to swing as the slide-bar is reciprocated by hand or by the actuating device at the opposite side of the machine. To thus release, advance, and again lock the driver, I provide a movable arm or slide 22 with shoulders for engaging the studs 20, and so arrange, construct, and guide it that when the check-row cord or wire is in position the latter will sustain or hold the slide out of action, and when the cord is removed the slide will release the locking-pawl, engage one of the studs on the driver, and turn the latter sufficiently to bring the depressions opposite the rollers. The adaptation of a looking or releasing device of this character may be made in a variety of forms and the substitution of equivalent parts, referring more particularly to the form of the movable member, its guiding devices, and the use of springs or weights for actuating it; but the preferred form of embodiment is one wherein the movable member is applied as an arm 22, pivoted upon the bolt or axis of the locking-pawl and provided with a stud or projection 23, engaging the locking-pawl to raise the latter as the arm is lowered, with a bearing 24: and interposed spring 25 acting to thrust and hold un der yielding pressure the pawl in operative position when the arm is raised to position. The outer end of the arm is furnished with a guiding-pin 26, traversing a slot 27 in the frame 1, and carries a roller 28 or equivalent bearing, which rests upon and is sustained by the check-row cord or wire between the driver and the rear supporting and guiding pulley. The outer end of the arm is preferably curved or bent inward and downward below the roller 28 in order that the checkrow cord or wire may be readily inserted from the top in the slot of the driver and carried beneath the roller and into the rear guiding-pulley.

On the arm 22 is located the locking and turning device for co-operating with the studs 20 on the driver A. In the present instance this device is composed of two shoulders or surfaces 30 31, arranged on intersecting lines and forming a V-shaped stop. As the arm 22 descends the locking-pawl is first raised from engagement with the driver. By a further movement of said arm the surface 30 engages one of the studs 20 and turns the driver until the depressions between the cams are brought opposite the rollers on the rocking lever, and as soon as this is accomplished the other surface 31 is brought into position to intercept the stud and prevent further rotation of the driver until such time as the arm shall be again raised andheld elevated. The weight of the arm 22 is sufiicient to cause its descent and to turn the driver. It will thus be seen that when the check-row cord or wire is removed from operative position in either or both actuating devices the arm 22 will descend,

unlock the driver, move it forward and lock it in position, so that the rocking lever will be free to swing with the slide-bar; and, further, when the check-row cord or wire is inserted in either driver it will throw said arm out of action, thus permitting the locking-pawl to perform its functions and the cams to hold the slide-bar at the extremes of its movements.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. In a check-row attachment such as described, the combination, with the seed-box or support, of the frame carrying the actuating devices, provided with a rocking bearing and clamping devices whereby the frame can be rocked for adjustment, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the seed-box or support, the frame carrying the actuating devices, provided with a rocking bearing in contact with the seed-box or support, clampingbolts in the plane of said bearing, and adj usting devices connecting said frame and support at a point remote from said bearing, substantially as described.

3. In combination with the seed-box or support, a frame upon which the actuating devices are mounted, provided with a rocking bearing on said support, clamping-bolts, and an adjusting-bolt and opposing spring connecting the frame and its support at a point removed from the rocking bearing, substantially as described.

4. In combination with the seed-box or support, the frame carrying the actuating devices, the latter provided with a rocking lever projected below the frame and connected to the slide-bar, a rocking bearing between the frame and its support, and an adjusting device connecting the frame and support at a point removed from said rocking bearing and operating to tilt the frame thereon, substantially as described.

5. In combination with the seed-box or sup port, the frame carrying the actuating devices, provided with an angular rib in contact with said support and forming a rocking bearing thereon, clamping-bolts in line with said bearing, an adjusting-bolt and spring interposed between the support and frame for determining the inclination of the latter, and a brace connecting the frame and support, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus such as described, the combination, with the rotary driver, of a rocking lever extending transversely across the driver and engaging the latter on opposite sides of the center, said lever being mounted upon a fulcrum which is movable toward and from the driver, substantially as described.

'7. In an apparatus such as described, the combination, with the frame, of the rotary driver mounted thereon and provided with two series of cams, the rocking lever engaging said cams on opposite sides of the center of said driver, and an adjustable frame supporting the fulcrum of the lever and extending on both sides of the axis of the driver, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the main frame, the rotary driver, and the rocking lover, of the frame supporting the rocking 1ever,adjustable between guides on the main frame and provided with a sleeve fitting a hub on the main frame, and adjusting devices, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the main frame, rotary driver, and rocking lover, of the support for said lever, movable between guides on the main frame and provided with a sleeve, the spring within said sleeve, and the ad justing-bolt, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with the main frame, the rotary driver, and the rocking lever, of the frame supporting said lever, engaging guides on the main frame and provided with a sleeve titted to a stud on the main frame, the spring, and the adjusting-bolt passing throughsaid sleeve,substantiallyasdescribed.

11. In combination with the main frame connected to the seed-box or support by a rocking bearing, and an adjusting device for regulating the angular position of said frame, the actuating devices mounted on said main frame and provided with a rockin g lever co-opcrating with the rotary driver and supported upon a frame adjustable upon the main frame, substantially as described, whereby lost motion can be taken up and the stroke of the planter equalized.

12. In a checlcrow attaclnnent such as described, the combination, with a rotary driver, of an automatic setting attachment held from action by the check-row cord or wire and brought into action when said cord is removed, substantially as described.

13. In a check-row attachment such as described, the combination, with a rotary driver provided with cams and intermediate depressions, of a rocking lever co-operating with said cams, locking devices for arresting the movement of the driver, and a setting attachment brought into action by the removal of the check-row cord or wire and operating to withdraw the locking devices and turn thed river, substantially as described.

14:. In a check-row attachment, the combination, with a rotary driver provided with cam-surfaces and intermediate depressions, and a rocking lever, of a setting attachment held suspended or out of action when the cheekrow cord or wire is in position and thrown into operation by the removal of said cord or wire, said attachment being provided with a movable member engaging the driver to shift the latter and bring the depressions opposite the rockinglever, substantially as de scribed.

15. In a check-row attachment, the combination, with the actuating mechanism con-- nected to the slide-bar, of a setting attachment held out of action by the check-row cord or wire and brought into action by the removal of said cord or wire, said setting attachment cooperating with the driver to release the connections with the slide-bar and permit them to follow the movements of said bar, substantially as described.

1 (i. The combination, with the rotary d river, rocking lever, and locking devices for limiting the movements of the driver, of a movable arm adapted to be engaged by the checkrow cord or wire and provided with shoulders engaging studs on the driver, substantially as described.

17. The combination, with the rotary driver, rocking lever, and locking devices for limiting the movements of the driver, of a movable arm cngaged by the checlerow cord or wire when the latter is in position, said arm being connected to the locking-pawl and provided with means for engaging the driver to release the locking-pawl and turn the driver when said arm is freed from the cord or wire, substantially as described.

18. The combination, with the rotary driver, rocking lever, and locking devices, of an arm pivotall y supported and provided with a roller or bearing for engaging the check-row cord or wire, said arm being also connected to the locking devices, and provided with shoulders engaging the driver, substantially as described.

19. The combination, with the driver, rocking lever, and locking-pawl, of an arm pivotally supported upon the frame and held elevated by contact with the check-row cord or wire, an elastic connection between said arm and the locking-pawl, and shoulders on said arm engaging studs on the driver to turn and lock the latter, substantially as described.

20. The combination, in a planter and with the slide-bar and two actuating mechanisms connected to said bar, of an automatic setting attachment applied to each actuating mechanism, said setting attachment being held suspended or out of action by the checkrow cord or wire when the latter is in position and released and brought into action to disconnect the driver when the cord or wire is removed, substantially as described, whereby by the withdrawal of the cord or wire from either or both actuating devices the slide-bar is free to reciprocate.

21. The combination, with the rotary driver, rocking lever, locking-pawl, and the lever operating upon said pawl to release the driver, said lever and pawl being connected through yielding connections, of the pivoted arm, a yielding connection between said arm and the locking-pawl, a roller on said arm movable across the path of the check-row cord or wire and adapted to engage the latter to sustain the arm, and two shoulders carried by said arm and engaging a stud on the driver, substantially as described.

522. In a check-row attachment such as tie the path of the cord or wire, substantially as scribed, the combination,with the driver and t described, to permit of the insertion and with- 10 guiding devices for the check-row cord or drawal of the cord.

Wire, of a swinging arm engaging the driver 1 3 r 5 to release the connections intermediate the JOSEPH driver and the slide-bar, said arm being ex- W'itnesses;

tended inward below the path of the cord or L. B. BOSWELL, wire, and carrying a roller or support above J 0s. 0. HARLOW, Jr. 

